Carmel adds to big season by topping JCA
Carmel Catholic’s 25-11, 25-23 win over visiting Joliet Catholic on Thursday night gave Corsairs coach David Pazely an assignment.
“I’ll have to check the record books, but this might be the first time CCHS girls volleyball has ever beaten JCA,” Pazely said. “This is a signature win for Carmel and I am so proud of these girls. We have been tested by good teams this year and came up short twice. It felt great to come out on the winning side tonight.”
Alyssa Armada racked up 16 assists, 3 kills, 3 blocks and 4 digs for Carmel (16-2, 3-0). Grace Schofield led the Corsairs in kills with 6, while adding 2 blocks. Other contributions came from Ellie Rengers (3 kills, 2 blocks), Haley Nedelka (2 kills, 1 block), Allie Wayland (2 kills), Shauna Meagher (11 digs, 1 kill, 1 ace), Sierra Kepski (11 digs, 1 ace), Lauren Fournier (9 digs, 1 ace) and Elizabeth Tworek (8 digs).
“I think JCA wasn’t ready for the new team we have this year and thought history would just repeat itself,” Pazely said. “Now that we’re on the map we won’t be able to catch other teams off guard. But JCA rebounded as we knew they would and made Game 2 a fight to the very end. Their defense started getting to everything. There were at least 7 lead changes in the second set, but we kept our composure and fought til the very end. This was a team win from top to bottom. With the competition and energy in practice so high this week we felt prepared for tonight’s battle, and this was the team’s reward.”
Grayslake Central d. Woodstock: Alex Dahlstrom pounded 16 kills and served 3 aces to lead the Rams to a 25-14, 25-27, 25-12 win in Fox Valley Fox action.
Gabi Casper and Allie Daul added 5 and 4 kills, respectively, for Grayslake Central (17-6, 4-2). Anna Basten delivered 4 aces, while Hannah Thomas chalked 20 digs. Casper had 3 aces and 10 digs, as well.
Lake Forest d. Mundelein: Yasmeen Johnson’s 11 kills and 3 blocks were not enough for the Mustangs, who were edged by the Scouts 25-20, 16-25, 25-23.
McKenzie Kehr added 5 kills, and Madi Wilcox tallied 25 assists and 3 kills for Mundelein (8-11, 1-2 NSC Lake). The Mustangs’ Cindy Kokoszka served a pair of aces.
Highland Park d. Vernon Hills: Kasey Firnbach had 6 kills in the Cougars’ 25-19, 25-23 nonconference loss.
Katie Brettman contributed 4 kills for Vernon Hills (4-14), while Mia Polisky delivered 3 aces. The Cougars also received 3 kills from Sienna Spiglanin, 2 blocks and 2 kills from Jenna Joyce and 15 assists from Tori Smith.
Johnsburg d. Grayslake North: Alaina Geissberger’s 4 kills and 4 blocks came in a 25-17, 25-16 loss for the Knights in Fox Valley Fox action.
Nicole LeBaron had 3 kills for Grayslake North (6-12, 2-4).